SimProject
Simulation Experiential Exercises
Generic Exercises
Diane H Parente
Penn State University
NOTES TO INSTRUCTORS
The key to the successful pedagogical use of computer simulations is to integrate them into the
“fabric” of the class. The data from the simulation is a source of exercises and problems to apply
the principles in the text and lecture, therefore bringing home the application of the tools and
techniques of project management. This series of exercises are linked with both the text and the
simulation to help you to use the simulation effectively and efficiently in your class. .
You may select as many of the Simulation Experiential Exercises as you wish. Each has specific
learning objectives and is tied to a specific topic (noted by the first number in the numbering
scheme). Each exercise is written such that you may copy them exactly to give to your students.
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SimProject Experiential Exercises
Experiential exercises for SimProject are introduced in this document. The simulation scenario will
be different for every class. The use of a computer simulation, specifically SimProject, in your
class is a unique method of learning both the fundamentals as well as the intricacies of project
management.
Simulation is not a new pedagogy but one that has been in existence for many years. Both student
and instructor may use a simulation either passively or actively. The Simulation Experiential
Exercises in this section allow the use of SimProject actively by getting the student involved in the
actual operation of a project from the acquisition of people to the management of a team’s process
and content throughout the project.
The Simulation Experiential Exercises (SEE) that follow are designed to coordinate with the topics
in the textbook. Since most textbooks cover approximately the same topics, the exercises are
grouped in sets by project management topic areas. These topics should be consistent with the most
popular project management texts. The SimProject computer simulation will provide specific details
about the actual scenario in which you find yourself. SEE’s may give you additional information
from your text and the simulation that will help you complete the experiential exercise.
There are two teams that will be referenced in the SEEs: the project team and the class team. The
project team consists of the virtual set of individuals selected from the “pool” of resources available
to the students in the simulation. The simulation will give descriptions. The decisions the student
teams make (the class team) in the simulation are made on behalf of the project team and the
simulated project. The class team will consist of real people within the class.
The instructor will select SEEs and will be specific as to whether the exercise should be completed
using the project team or the class team.
After reading the text or attending the instructor’s lecture, applying the principles to the simulation
project through the Simulation Experiential Exercises, and participating in SimProject, students
should be prepared to apply their skills to a real world situation.
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SIMULATION EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES
Table of Contents
TOPIC 1: The Project .......................................................................................................................... 6 Simulation Experiential Exercise 1-1: Defining a Project .............................................................. 6 Simulation Experiential Exercise 1-2: Project Life Cycle ............................................................... 6 TOPIC 2: The Project Planning ........................................................................................................... 7 Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-1: Project Fit ............................................................................ 7 Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-2: Writing Objectives .............................................................. 7 Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-3: SWOT Analysis .................................................................. 7 Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-4: Project Financial Assessment ............................................. 8 Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-5: Project Proposals ................................................................ 8 Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-6: Risk and Risk Response ...................................................... 8 TOPIC 3: Project organizations ........................................................................................................... 9 Simulation Experiential Exercise 3-1: Project Organization Structure ............................................ 9 Simulation Experiential Exercise 3-2: Project Organizational Culture............................................ 9 TOPIC 4: Project Description and Discussion ................................................................................... 10 Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-1: Project Scope .................................................................... 10 Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-2: Project Costs ..................................................................... 10 Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-3: Project Responsibility Matrix ........................................... 10 TOPIC 5: Project Financials .............................................................................................................. 12 Simulation Experiential Exercise 5-1: Project Budget ................................................................... 12 Simulation Experiential Exercise 5-2: Apportion Method of Allocating Project Costs ............... 12 TOPIC 6: Project Charting ................................................................................................................. 13 Simulation Experiential Exercise 6-1: Project Network Analysis ................................................. 13 Simulation Experiential Exercise 6-2: Project Network vs. Gantt Comparison ............................ 13 TOPIC 7: Project Risk Management ................................................................................................. 14 Simulation Experiential Exercise 7-1: Risk Management ............................................................. 14 Simulation Experiential Exercise 7-2: Risk Response and Mitigation .......................................... 14 Simulation Experiential Exercise 7-3: Change Control Management .......................................... 14 TOPIC 8: Project Resources .............................................................................................................. 15 Simulation Experiential Exercise 8-1: Resource Limitations ........................................................ 15 Simulation Experiential Exercise 8-2: Unplanned Time Constraints ............................................ 15 Simulation Experiential Exercise 8-3: Unplanned Resource Constraints ..................................... 15 TOPIC 9: Project Crashing ............................................................................................................... 16 Simulation Experiential Exercise 9-1: Crashing the Project .......................................................... 16 Simulation Experiential Exercise 9-2: Results of Project Crashing ............................................... 16 TOPIC 10: Project Stakeholders and their interaction ....................................................................... 17 Simulation Experiential Exercise 10-1: Project Stakeholders....................................................... 17 Simulation Experiential Exercise 10-2: Organizational Currencies.............................................. 17 Simulation Experiential Exercise 10-3: Social Networks ............................................................. 17 TOPIC 11: Team Dynamics .............................................................................................................. 18 Simulation Experiential Exercise 11-1: Team Development Model............................................. 18 Simulation Experiential Exercise 11-2: Conflict .......................................................................... 18 Simulation Experiential Exercise 11-3: Virtual Team Assessment .............................................. 18 TOPIC 12: Outsourcing ..................................................................................................................... 19 Simulation Experiential Exercise 12-1: Project Outsourcing ........................................................ 19 4
TOPIC 13: Project Reporting ............................................................................................................ 20 Simulation Experiential Exercise 13-1: Cost vs. Time Comparison ............................................. 20 Simulation Experiential Exercise 13-2: Project Status Report....................................................... 20 Simulation Experiential Exercise 13-3: Monthly Status Report ................................................... 20 TOPIC 14: Project Closure ............................................................................................................... 21 Simulation Experiential Exercise 14-1: Project Audit Report ....................................................... 21 Simulation Experiential Exercise 14-2: Individual Performance Appraisal System .................... 21 5
TOPIC 1: The Project
Simulation Experiential Exercise 1-1: Defining a Project
Purpose
To provide the opportunity to identify how the simulation project exercise qualifies as a project.
{Project Team}
Instructions
Use the description of the project provided by the simulation setup and identifies the five (5) major
characteristics of this project.
Deliverable
Short description of your project, followed by the details of the five major characteristics of this
project.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 1-2: Project Life Cycle
Purpose
To provide the vehicle for the team to look ahead and anticipate some of the activities in the various
stages of the project life cycle (PLC). {Project Team}
Instructions
Review the four stages of the Project Life Cycle. Adapt the tasks in each stage to reflect your
simulation project. Identify the category of resource (i.e. engineer, programmer, carpenter) that is
appropriate for each of the major activities.
Deliverable
The document should include the PLC stages, component activities, and the resource type that is
planned.
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TOPIC 2: The Project Planning
Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-1: Project Fit
Purpose
The intent of this exercise is to describe the project “fit” with the organization’s mission.
{Project Team}
Instructions
Step 1: Identify the project stakeholders and describe the interests of each stakeholder group. (i.e.
what are the project team members’ interests in the success of the project.)
Step 2: Use the organization’s mission provided in the description of your simulation scenario (or
one you develop) and discuss the consistencies and inconsistencies between the organization’s
mission and the stakeholders’ interests.
Deliverable
Short narrative including mission statement, list of stakeholders and corresponding stakeholder
interests, and discussion of consistencies and inconsistencies.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-2: Writing Objectives
Purpose
To practice writing “good” goals. {Project Team or Class Team}
Instructions
Write three goals for either your Project Team or Class Team (as directed by your instructor). Be
sure that the goals are in SMARTc3 format.
Note: Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Relevant, Timed, caveat or limitation, 3 levels
Eg. Increase sales by 10% within the next year without decreasing price. (satisfactory =
10%; good = 13%; outstanding = 15%)
Deliverable
Three goals in SMARTc3 format.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-3: SWOT Analysis
Purpose
To learn to do a SWOT analysis {Project or Class Team}
Instructions
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Identify at least three (3) each strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, or threats for your project
(Project Team or Class Team as designated by your instructor).
Deliverable
List of 3 strengths, 3 weaknesses, 3 opportunities, and 3 threats for your project.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-4: Project Financial Assessment
Purpose
To determine the payback period and NPV of the project {Project Team}
Instructions
Identify the costs and benefits of your simulated project over the life of the project. Calculate the
payback period and NPV of the project. Is this an acceptable project? What are the criteria for
determining feasibility?
Deliverable
Costs, benefits, cash flow, payback, and NPV calculation. Includes a paragraph describing project
feasibility.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-5: Project Proposals
Purpose
To prepare a project proposal. {Project Team}
Instructions
Based on the information available from SimProject, prepare a Project Proposal in the format of
your text or one provided by your instructor.
Deliverable
Project Proposal for your simulation project.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 2-6: Risk and Risk Response
Purpose
To appropriately identify risk and develop plans for response. {Project Team}
Instructions
Identify the sources of possible risk for your simulation project. Develop a Risk Assessment Matrix
and a response to Risk Matrix.
Deliverable
Risk Analysis Document.
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TOPIC 3: Project organizations
Simulation Experiential Exercise 3-1: Project Organization Structure
Purpose
To analyze the project organization structure. {Project Team}
Instructions
Based on the information available from SimProject, prepare a recommendation to management on
the most appropriate organizational structure for your project team. Diagram your proposed
structure and discuss the strengths and weaknesses and potential issues with your recommended
structure.
Deliverable
Formal recommendation to management regarding project organization structure including cover
letter, project structure diagram, and explanation.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 3-2: Project Organizational Culture
Purpose
To understand the elements of organizational culture in a project team. {Class Team}
Instructions
Using the primary characteristics of organizational culture described in your text, assess your Class
Team on each of the dimensions and place your assessment on a chart. Your text may also give you
ideas on how to identify these cultural characteristics. Chart the results of your cultural assessment
and compare to an organization supportive of project management. Discuss the differences and
potential adjustments that your team might make.
Deliverable
Assessment of cultural dimensions, bar chart, organizational culture diagnosis, and comparison
discussion - all based on Class Team.
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TOPIC 4: Project Description and Discussion
Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-1: Project Scope
Purpose
To write a project scope statement. {Project Team}
Instructions
Using the instructions and the examples in your text, write a Project Scope Statement for your
simulation. As in a real project, you will need to extrapolate some of the information (i.e.
requirements and limitations) and use the project scope statement to obtain clarification from the
customer and pre-project approval.
Deliverable
Project Scope Statement including objectives, deliverables, milestones, technical requirements,
limits and exclusions, and customer review as appropriate.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-2: Project Costs
Purpose
To identify the cost of project deliverables and the total project. {Project Team}
Instructions
Identify each of the project deliverables and develop the total cost for each one. Compute the total
project cost and compare to your budget. Identify actions that you might take to correct any
problems identified.
Deliverable
Budgeted vs. outlook cost comparison by deliverable. Action plan for deficiencies. (Note:
Outlook costs are those that will be incurred given the current plan. This typically includes project
to date plus anticipated expenses to project completion.)
Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-3: Project Responsibility Matrix
Purpose
To create a Project Responsibility Matrix. {Class Team or Project Team}
Instructions
Identify the project tasks for your Class Team or Project Team. Create a Responsibility Matrix for
your project for the semester. Be sure to assign primary and supporting responsibilities.
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Deliverable
Project Responsibility Matrix for your Class Project or SimProject.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 4-4: Project Priority Matrix
Purpose
To understand the relative priorities of a project. {Project Team}
Instructions
Project success in your simulated organization will be based on competing priorities. Based on the
information available to you concerning your project to date, how would you rate the relative
importance of time, cost, functionality, and quality (stakeholder satisfaction).
Complete a Project Priority Matrix for your simulation project. Divide 100 points between the
above four competing priorities. Briefly discuss the rationale for your point assignment.
Deliverable
Project Priority Matrix. Also, each of the four components (time, cost, functionality, and
stakeholder satisfaction) will have a point assignment and a brief statement of the reason for the
assignment.
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TOPIC 5: Project Financials
Simulation Experiential Exercise 5-1: Project Budget
Purpose
To create a detailed project budget and compare to the macro-level budget. {Project Team}
Instructions
Based on the information in your simulation scenario, create a detailed project budget. Compare to
the deliverable from SEE 4-2 and reconcile the differences. Define your action plan to resolve the
top-down vs. bottom-up approaches to project estimation. Which is better?
Deliverable
Bottom-up project estimate and comparison to top-down approach. Action plan to resolve
differences and short discussion of choice of approaches.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 5-2: Apportion Method of Allocating Project Costs
Purpose
To understand apportioning of project costs {Project Team}.
Instructions
Prepare a chart of major components of the WBS for your SimProject scenario.
Deliverable
Allocation of project costs in WBS chart.
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TOPIC 6: Project Charting
Simulation Experiential Exercise 6-1: Project Network Analysis
Purpose
To prepare and analyze the project network. {Project Team}
Instructions
After assigning personnel and estimating the task times, develop and print out the project network
for your simulation project. Identify areas of potential problems that you can see as a result of
examining the project network.
Deliverable
Project network diagram and list of issues regarding the plan.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 6-2: Project Network vs. Gantt Comparison
Purpose
To compare the value of the Gantt chart and the project network. {Project Team}
Instructions
Prepare a Gantt chart for your simulation project. Compare it with the output from SEE 6-1 and
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Deliverable
Gantt chart and discussion of comparison between Gantt and project network.
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TOPIC 7: Project Risk Management
Simulation Experiential Exercise 7-1: Risk Management
Purpose
To understand and manage project risk {Project or Class Team}.
Instructions
Prepare a list of potential risk events and develop a Risk Assessment Form. Also, prepare a Risk
Severity Matrix. Prepare a Failure Mode and Effects assessment to stratify the risks.
Deliverable
Risk Assessment, Risk Severity Matrix, and FMEA.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 7-2: Risk Response and Mitigation
Purpose
To understand risk response.
Instructions
Prepare a Risk Response Matrix.
Deliverable
Risk Response Matrix.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 7-3: Change Control Management
Purpose
To reinforce the importance of change control management. {Project Team}
Instructions
Design a process and the appropriate documentation for Change Control in your simulation project.
Deliverable
Procedure for Change Control including forms, screens, responsibilities, and step-by-step directions
for how change is initiated, approved, and implemented.
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TOPIC 8: Project Resources
Simulation Experiential Exercise 8-1: Resource Limitations
Purpose
To understand resource limitations. {Project Team}
Instructions
Once you have reviewed the Resource Pool and bid for services initially, you will find that you
have accomplished the “hiring” of the resource in some cases and not “hired” them in others.
Answer the following questions about the process:
1. What was your strategy for resource selection?
2. What are the implications of not achieving your hiring objectives in terms of time,
cost, functionality, and stakeholder satisfaction?
3. What are your contingency plans?
Deliverable
A written evaluation of the resource selection process.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 8-2: Unplanned Time Constraints
Purpose
To evaluate how to respond to an unplanned time constraint. {Project Team}
Instructions
Your simulation has demonstrated a special event in which there is now a time constraint. Identify
and implement your action plan to deal with this constraint.
Deliverable
Description of the time impact on the simulated project and a plan to address the issue.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 8-3: Unplanned Resource Constraints
Purpose
To evaluate how to respond to an unplanned resource constraint. {Project Team}
Instructions
Your simulation has demonstrated that there is a resource constraint. Identify and implement your
action plan to deal with this constraint.
Deliverable
Description of the resource impact on the simulated project and a plan to address the issue.
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TOPIC 9: Project Crashing
Simulation Experiential Exercise 9-1: Crashing the Project
Purpose
To understand the impact of “crashing”. {Project Team}
Instructions
Your simulation due date has been moved forward. Make the appropriate changes in your project
plan to accomplish the required schedule reduction. Discuss the areas of the project that are most
likely to be impacted by the “crashing”.
Deliverable
New project plan and list of actions to be taken. Assessment of the potential results of actions.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 9-2: Results of Project Crashing
Purpose
To evaluate the results of project crashing. {Project Team}
Instructions
As a result of the time reduction in SEE 9-1, there have been several outcomes. Evaluate the
various project issues that have arisen as a result of your actions. Include time, cost, money, team
cohesiveness, stakeholder satisfaction, and functionality.
Deliverable
Written review of the impact of project crashing.
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TOPIC 10: Project Stakeholders and their interaction
Simulation Experiential Exercise 10-1: Project Stakeholders
Purpose
To understand the relationship between the various stakeholders on the project. {Project Team}
Instructions
Draw the network of stakeholders for your simulation project. Identify whether the potential impact
of the stakeholder on the project success is direct or indirect.
Deliverable
Diagram of network with stakeholders identified as direct or indirect impact to the project.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 10-2: Organizational Currencies
Purpose
To identify and understand organizational currencies {Class Team}
Instructions
Prepare specific examples of each of the organizational currencies.
Deliverable
Organizational currency chart.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 10-3: Social Networks
Purpose
To understand how to build and use a social network {Project or Class Team}
Instructions
Draw a map of dependencies. Answer the questions about the dependencies as shown after the
graphic. Design a plan to deal with your social network.
Deliverable
Social network diagram with discussion.
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TOPIC 11: Team Dynamics
Simulation Experiential Exercise 11-1: Team Development Model
Purpose
To apply two models of team development. {Class Team}
Instructions
Discuss your class team within the framework of the Five-Stage Model and also the Punctuated
Equalibrium Model. Be specific in identifying the characteristics and timing of each stage through
which the team passed as well as the final performance of the team on the project. Discuss where
improvements should have been made to facilitate the team-building process.
Deliverable
Written review of the Team Development.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 11-2: Conflict
Purpose
To debrief conflict in the team. {Class Team}
Instructions
Discuss an instance of functional and dysfunctional conflict within your team. Identify your
method of dealing with each type of conflict within your team.
Deliverable
Short written report debriefing the conflict.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 11-3: Virtual Team Assessment
Purpose
To debrief the operation of a virtual class team. {Class Team}
Instructions
If your class team has been a virtual one, review the mechanisms used for effectively (or
ineffectively) managing and communicating with your class team.
Deliverable
Short written report debriefing the operation of the virtual class team.
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TOPIC 12: Outsourcing
Simulation Experiential Exercise 12-1: Project Outsourcing
Purpose
To assess potential project outsourcing. {Class or Project Team}
Instructions
Identify areas of your simulation project in which you could have outsourced to another
organization. Write a formal proposal to management requesting approval for an outsourcing
arrangement. Discuss the terms that you propose for the arrangement and assess the benefits and
risks of your proposal.
Deliverable
Formal business proposal including memo to management and cost benefit analysis of the proposal.
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TOPIC 13: Project Reporting
Simulation Experiential Exercise 13-1: Cost vs. Time Comparison
Purpose
To estimate the cost vs time expenditures. {Project Team}
Instructions
Build a graph of the budgeted cost of work scheduled (BCWS) vs the project periods.
Discuss any obvious issues with the project as it is planned.
Deliverable
BCWS vs. time chart and short discussion of issues.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 13-2: Project Status Report
Purpose
To create a project status report. {Project Team}
Instructions
Develop a project status report for your simulation project. Include an earned value chart and a
tracking Gantt. Be sure to include a report that reports on actual costs, variance from budget, and
explanations for the variances.
Deliverable
Complete formal project status report.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 13-3: Monthly Status Report
Purpose
To learn how to do a monthly status report. {Project Team}
Instructions
Develop the monthly status report for your simulation project. Be sure to forecast remaining costs
and time as well as to provide explanations and plans for getting back on budget in either time or
cost or both.
Deliverable
Formal monthly status report including variance analysis and explanations.
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TOPIC 14: Project Closure
Simulation Experiential Exercise 14-1: Project Audit Report
Purpose
To prepare a project audit report. {Class Team or Project Team}
Instructions
Your instructor will determine whether you will use your class team or the project team in the
simulation to complete this exercise. Using the guidelines in the chapter, prepare a project audit
report. Be sure to include project classification, analysis of information gathered,
recommendations, and lessons learned. You may also include an appendix of appropriate
documentation.
Deliverable
Final project report discussing all phases of the project.
Simulation Experiential Exercise 14-2: Individual Performance Appraisal System
Purpose
To implement a performance appraisal process. {Class Team}
Instructions
Using the process developed in SEE 2-3, conduct individual performance appraisals on all team
members. Write a short debrief on the effectiveness of the process.
Deliverable
Individual performance appraisals for each team member and brief evaluation of the process.
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